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June 9, 2008

Something Else #11: White Stripes

Today's Off-Day Musical Guest: the White Stripes.

Jack White and Meg White formed the White Stripes in 1997. The Detroit duo play a raw mix of rock, punk and blues -- generally only guitar and drums. For years, the duo presented themselves as brother and sister, but they were actually married. Fun Fact: Jack, born John Gillis, took Meg's last name. They divorced in 2000, but continued recording and performing together.

What I'm posting: 1999 FM broadcast, two 2001 John Peel BBC sessions and a July 2007 concert at Madison Square Garden. And other stuff!

By the way, remember all those MFY fans who were poohpoohing Leter's nohitter by saying "yeah, but it was against Kansas City"? The same KC we swept that series? The MFYs just dropped two of four against KC at home.

Incredible variety on the old stuff from REM, indeed. They must have about 40 songs rehearsed.

The Stripes I came to late. I really liked the Elephant album. Really, really liked it. There was something very immediate and genuine about it. I didn't feel the same about the Satan album, though. Nothing's really grabbed me of theirs -- or I haven't grabbed onto it -- since the Elephant album.

I have heard criticisms of Meg's drumming. Not sure if it's worth the hullabaloo. She might be limited but there's nothing wrong with that if it's all the music requires.

White Stripes - another band my sons turned me on to.Back in the Kazaa days of song searching (which is where I mined some of my favorite live stuff) I started seeing their name in my song library. Happened quite a bit, that business of stuff I didn't recognize mysteriously appearing. They were one of the few I held on to after my son got his own computer. Not my usual cup of tea, but the music is good and I can't stand to drink the same tea alll the time.